tour details

Near the border of Sarawak & Kalimantan, the village of Mongkos is home to one of the few remaining traditional longhouses of the Bidayuh tribe and you’ll quickly see why Kampong Mongkos is known for its typical Bidayuh hospitality. You’ll head to Mongkos from Kuching with a stop at the local market of Serian on the way. Upon arrival, you’ll visit the traditional longhouse, take a stroll around the village, meet local villagers & learn about the Bidayuh way of life. Explore another traditional longhouse nearby before evening, enjoy a swim in a natural pool, and watch traditional dances & music in the longhouse. Next, venture on a guided walk along the village trails to a riverside picnic spot with a mini waterfall. Experience how a native lunch is prepared before visiting some farms.

Pick-up from Kuching city and transfer to Kampong Mongkos (103 km/~2 hrs.) through rural scenery, passing pepper gardens and rice fields, with an en-route stop at the local market in the town of Serian. A local lunch will also be served in Serian or at Ranchan Pools (10 min. drive from Serian), before you proceed to Mongkos Bidayuh village. Upon arrival at Mongkos village, witness a welcome dance at the village corporate house followed by check-in to your village homestay. After which we will visit the 24-doors traditional longhouse which is made of wood and bamboos. You will be guided through this longhouse and learn about its history, including stories from the 'Confrontation', the undeclared war between Malaysia and Indonesia that ran from 1962-1966. Then take a stroll around the village, meet local villagers and learn about the Bidayuh way of life. We will also visit another traditional longhouse within this vicinity before evening falls. After a sumptuous dinner, follow your guide on a stroll along this village to meet some of the local communities to learn more of this tribes culture before your retire for your night.

After breakfast venture on a guided walk along the village trails to reach a riverside picnic spot with a mini waterfall. Experience hands-on how native lunch is prepared with simple natural "pots" made of bamboo, leaves and other local ingredients. After lunch walk back to the village to visit some farms. Many of the residents of Mongkos are farmers. Rice (seasonal), pepper, rubber and a range of local vegetables are cultivated in the vicinity of this village. Check-out & transfer back to Kuching.

Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the programme

notes

This tour can be combined with a visit of Semenggok Orang Utan Centre at an additional surcharge.

Please travel light for the overnight at Kampong Mongkos. Suitcases can be stored at your hotel in Kuching.

The homestay rooms are in individual family houses dotted around the longhouse. The rooms are on twin-share basis and are fitted with fans. Toilets and shower are on shared basis in these detach-houses.